CVE-2010-3734 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
The Install component in IBM DB2 UDB 9.5 before FP6a on Linux, UNIX, and Windows enforces an unintended limit on password length, which makes it easier for attackers to obtain access via a brute-force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3734 affects IBM DB2 Universal Database version 9.5 before fix pack 6a across multiple operating systems including Linux, UNIX, and Windows. This security weakness resides within the installation component of the database system and represents a significant concern for organizations relying on DB2 for their data management infrastructure. The flaw specifically impacts the password validation mechanism during the installation process, creating an unintended restriction that undermines the security posture of the database environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from an overly restrictive password length enforcement mechanism within the DB2 installation framework. When users attempt to install or configure DB2 database systems, the installation component applies an arbitrary limit to password lengths that is significantly shorter than what would typically be considered secure or acceptable for enterprise database environments. This limitation effectively reduces the entropy of passwords that can be used during the installation process, making brute-force attacks more feasible and successful. The constraint operates at the installation phase rather than during runtime operations, meaning that even if administrators later implement stronger password policies, the initial installation process remains vulnerable to exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for organizations deploying DB2 UDB 9.5 systems. Attackers can leverage this weakness to conduct more efficient brute-force attacks against the installation credentials, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the database installation process itself. The reduced password complexity requirements mean that attackers can systematically test combinations more quickly, significantly shortening the time required to discover valid installation passwords. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where database installation credentials are not properly secured or where organizations rely on default or weak passwords for initial setup procedures. The impact extends beyond simple access control as successful exploitation could potentially lead to full system compromise if attackers can manipulate the installation process to gain deeper system access or deploy malicious code.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the appropriate IBM fix pack 6a or later to address this vulnerability. System administrators should also conduct thorough inventory checks to identify all affected DB2 installations and ensure proper password policies are enforced for installation processes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-1001 which addresses weaknesses in security-related configuration, and represents a specific instance of improper restriction of operations within a security mechanism. From an attacker's perspective, this flaw maps to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under credential access and privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting the initial access phase through weak password validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, secure installation procedures, and monitoring for unauthorized installation activities to reduce the overall risk exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security configuration management and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of installation and setup processes in enterprise database systems.